Object Type: Folder
In Folder: Oral History Collection
Dr. Conner begins his interview by describing his family background and his father’s experience as a Pullman train porter. He describes being inspired to go into medicine by medical missionaries as well as African American doctors in Omaha during his childhood. He details his early education, working and boarding with a veterinarian during medical school and knowing of African American students “passing” as white. He shares his memories of anatomy cadavers and surgery. Conner discusses the African American student experience including how race impacted his clinical and residency rotations and interacting with African American students at Creighton University School of Medicine. He details getting married, applying and choosing an internship in pediatrics, and expanding his family during residency. He discusses transitioning from private practice to public health, continuing his education at Harvard University and health challenges he addressed in the field of public health. Conner concludes his interview discussing his retirement and how his internship connections helped him settle in Des Moines, Iowa.
